TAM 14 2016

[ThorGoLucky]

I suggest a theme for TAM 14 in 2016: Animals, pets, and veterinary medicine.

I left my long-time vet because they began aggressively advocating "laser therapy", unfounded "bio-photon modulation" quackery that's equivalent to shining a flashlight on a booboo.

I suggest the pet theme in all seriousness, even though it could be known as TAM Furteen. Seriously, please offer this as a focus/theme, as a majority of us American citizens are pet owners and are barraged with pet marketing crap, thanks.

 

[Mick West]

There's also quite a few pet psychics out there, and people who are convinced they have some kind of telepathic link with their animal.

There's the classic "my dog knows when someone is coming home" thing.

 

[zooterkin]

Rupert Sheldrake for keynote...

 

[Andriiya]

Well, I'm not sure why we're jumping two years ahead, but I do like this idea.

 

[AdMan]

Well, I'm not sure why we're jumping two years ahead, but I do like this idea.

By then we'll likely have eradicated the human anti-vax movement!

 

[ThorGoLucky]

Well, I'm not sure why we're jumping two years ahead, but I do like this idea.

TAM Furteen!

 

[Fitter]

Well, I'm not sure why we're jumping two years ahead, but I do like this idea.

Because 13 is unlucky so no one is going.

 

[Kochanski]

Because 13 is unlucky so no one is going.

Jolly Thirteeners would

 

[namret]

Great idea !

Vets do acupuncture and other questionable practices. Love the idea!

 

[Rrose Selavy]

This from last year. But are there enough knowledgeable speakers to expand to a whole conference?

 

[AdMan]

This from last year. But are there enough knowledgeable speakers to expand to a whole conference?

Doubt it.

It might be a good idea for one of the workshops, for example, but I don't see it as a theme for the whole four days.

 

[ravdin]

My wife used to take her elderly dog to an accupuncturist. I was extremely skeptical until I saw the results- the treatments really did seem to relieve the dog's chronic joint problems.

 

[Rrose Selavy]

My wife used to take her elderly dog to an accupuncturist. I was extremely skeptical until I saw the results- the treatments really did seem to relieve the dog's chronic joint problems.

The video I posted suggested that there is a placebo effect with Alt treatments.
Not in the animal , but in the owners or vets. Both of which may be sympathetic to such therapies if they are trying them at all.
"Fido seems much better today".

or used in conjunction with conventional medicine in everyday practice, hard to distinguish benefit.

-

 

[Disraeli Ears]

Doubt it.

It might be a good idea for one of the workshops, for example, but I don't see it as a theme for the whole four days.

I agree - and this is a subject dear to my heart! I did a talk on pet communicators and CAVM at the inaugural DC SkeptiCamp ( here if you're interested ). I did a modified version (focusing just on CAVM and adding questionable products) at this year's Denver SkeptiCamp. I know someone did a talk about CAVM at the Phoenix SkeptiCamp this year, as well - it's on the internet, but I haven't seen it yet.

I know a lot of people through Corgi forums and meetups and so many of those people fall for woo...it is ridiculous. And when I've done my talks, I've gotten a lot of post-talk questions about them so people ARE definitely interested. BUT their aren't really enough experts out there (I mean, say published experts) on pet woo. Lots of experts on pets, but not necessarily skeptics.